Homes around Helston have been left without running water this morning after reports of a burst water main.

Some properties in the postcode areas TR13 and TR12 are affected by the shortage. South West Water said it was aware of the incident and its engineers were making urgent emergency repairs.

According to the company, the problem is located in the Gunwalloe area. It said: “Supplies in this area may be disrupted as we are currently doing urgent repairs. We have an inspector in the area and will provide further updates as soon as possible.

“South West Water is aware that customers in your area may currently be experiencing disruptions to their water supplies.”

Update at 11.50am: South West Water said the problem was affecting a water main which feeds nine per cent of the population of Cornwall, leaving many homes with no water or low pressure.

The company said the Wendron trunk water main had burst, causing disruption to supplies in Helston and the Lizard peninsula.

In an updated statement, South West Water said: “We apologise to customers in the Helston and Lizard area who may be experiencing low pressure or disruption to their water supplies. This is following a significant burst on the trunk main which we have located.

"Our team are on site isolating the burst to repair and restore supplies to minimise the impact to customers. Wendron supplies nine per cent of the population of Cornwall including Helston and the Lizard. It produces around 12 megalitres of water a day.”

The company further added: "We have located the burst water main and our team are on site excavating to carry out a repair. We are pleased to confirm that some customers water supplies have returned and we are continuing to work to restore all supplies as quickly as possible.

"However when supplies return, some customers may experience discoloured water and we are flushing our mains to clear through the supply."

Posting on a Helston buy/sell group of Facebook, one person said: "Apparently the whole of Helston has no water this morning! I've just spoken to a SWW engineer outside my place and there is a burst main somewhere, but they haven't found where yet...possibly In Mullion. Could be a long day, folks!"